Spanos Welcomed Back in Return to Burbank Council

BURBANK — City Councilwoman Susan Spanos, whose future on the council was unclear following her hospitalization earlier this month in Anaheim and a statement by her husband to police that she “is addicted to cocaine,” returned to the council Tuesday night.

Spanos, who had not attended a council meeting since early December, was welcomed back by several speakers who chastised other council members for their public comments regarding the councilwoman’s possible replacement following her hospitalization.

Spanos, who said she remains a patient, thanked the speakers and others for their support and concern for her well-being. “I’m very flattered by your support and your kindness,” Spanos said. “You’ve really touched my heart.”

Spanos, whose term expires at the end of April, recently decided not to run for reelection, saying she needed to recover privately from an alleged sexual assault in January 1996.

Spanos, according to statements issued by her husband, Ted, earlier this month, entered the Western Medical Center in Anaheim suffering from severe depression.

But according to Anaheim police records released last week, Ted Spanos told police when he reported his wife missing earlier this month that she “has a history of drug abuse and is addicted to cocaine.” In a second statement issued last week, Ted Spanos said he told police that he was fearful that his wife could be experiencing withdrawal from prescription drugs and might resort to other drugs.